On Sunday, I wondered why — after watching Obama’s poor performance in the debate, with Romney’s “likability” rate rising and voters long saying he would better handle the economy, their number one issue — voters would still vote for Obama.

After the debate, reports abounded of Republicans similarly celebrating Romney’s performance and feeling better about their chances in November. One Republican activist recently told me “I’m feeling very confident.”

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on Sunday, I cited the post-debate polls which surveyed people who watched the debate and the only regular poll which surveyed voters after the vote, by Rasmussen. The Rasmussen poll showed Romney with a two-point lead over Obama – even though one-third of those surveyed had been asked prior to the debate.

Since then, two other post-debate polls have been released and show a bump for Romney: a Gallup poll which has the candidates tied and a Pew Research poll which gives Romney a four-point lead among likely voters. These seem to confirm my and other Republicans’ hopes.

But one factor the challenging party sometimes overlooks in its hatred for its opponent is incumbency. Even if voters get over their love affair with President Obama, they won’t easily vote against an incumbent.

The New York TimesFiveThirtyEight blog which deals with election analysis points out that despite the post-debate bump, Obama may still be on track to reelection.

Based on the jobs data it argues that:

If past trends hold, that analysis predicts a very narrow victory for Mr. Obama — by 2.1 percentage points over Mr. Romney, similar to Mr. Bush’s margin of victory in 2004.

Then it puts the post-debate bump in perspective:

Challengers also generally profit from the first debate: in 8 of the 10 election cycles since 1976, the polls moved against the incumbent, and a net gain of two or three percentage points for the challenger is a reasonably typical figure.

At the same time, incumbent presidents just aren’t that easy to defeat. Mr. Obama’s approval ratings are now hovering around 50 percent and don’t seem to have been negatively affected by his performance in Denver.

I’m not saying this is Gospel or that every election must follow past patterns, but I do recall the feeling among Democrats in 2004 of “how can anyone vote for Bush” mirroring our own fears of Obama today.

Daniel Tauber is the Executive Director of Likud Anglos, and a former Opinions Editor at JewishPress.com. Daniel is also an attorney admitted to practice law in Israel and New York and received his J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. You can follow him on facebook and twitter.

16 COMMENTS

Daniel, you're still plugging for Obama? Your assumption of Obama winning the election because of his incumbency is misdirected, misleading and naive to say the least for Obama’s performance over-rides all those factors. Obama is the worst president America has ever had in its history.

I write to you at this time of dire trouble for our country and for Israel.

Last week America was under attack. Our ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were slaughtered by Muslim extremists. This was not a spontaneous "protest" against an admittedly stupid video. This was an organized military assault, coordinated expressly for execution on September 11.

Likewise, the "protests" in Cairo at the American embassy where our flag was shredded, and the black Islamist flag of al-Qaeda was raised in its place. Reliable sources say the US was forewarned of both attacks — probably by Israel. But America's State Department ignored those warnings. Why?

The Obama administration's reactions to these outrages was sadly typical. The very next day, President Obama incongruously flew off to Las Vegas to raise funds. Lamentably, our government still apologizes for that inane video, made by an Egyptian Coptic.

Where is the leadership here? What has such ongoing appeasement gotten us? President Obama once promised a "reset" of America's relationship with the Muslim world. But the reality has been far different. The Islamic world holds us in greater contempt than ever, seeing Obama's America as weak, and as incapable, or unwilling, to defend our interests and our friends.

On that note, Obama's policy toward Israel has been a disgrace from the start. It's as if his goal is to disenfranchise himself – and America – from the Jewish state — to make clear to the world that Israel's leaders, should they dare to defend the Jewish State's very existence, will go it alone. Such signals serve only to embolden Israel's enemies — who are also America's enemies — our enemies!

The same signal comes from Obama's latest snub of Bibi Netanyahu — who was told that Obama did not have time to meet with him when the Israeli Prime Minister arrived in America last week. Meanwhile, he found time to regale on CBS Television's Late Show with David Letterman and also had time to chit chat with Barbara Walters and Whoopie Goldberg on the TV show, The View. To his discredit, Obama also extended an open invitation to Egypt's President Morsi.

Such actions say a lot to the world. Can we stand silent any longer?

To the 613 "Rabbis for Obama": In light of the President's actions toward Israel and her Prime Minister, I ask you to reconsider your public support for President Obama in next month's election. Certainly, Israel deserves America's full support and respect, not the treatment she has received under the current President.

I say this with all my heart: I cannot keep silent any longer. The voices of my father and my mother, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, compel me to speak out — with zeal.

I urge you to consider the following:

• Silence did not work in the 1930s, when the looming evils of Nazism could have been stopped in their tracks. Nor will it work today, when Islamists – who deny the Holocaust – threaten the destruction of Israel and the murder of all the Jews and Christians therein.
•Why does the United States say nothing about the daily denigration of Jews and Christians by imams, worldwide?

•Why do we tolerate an American media that continues to play dumb when our real interests, and our very lives, are at stake?
•Why does America continue to send money (and excuse outstanding loans) to Morsi's Egypt?*.
•Why doesn't America compel Morsi to uphold the peace treaty with Israel? To rein in Hamas? To act like a responsible, civil government?
•Why don't we rabbis come together and insist that the Obama Administration express — in words and in deeds — its unequivocal support for Israel during this most challenging of times?

I started "Rabbis for Romney" as a counterweight to "Rabbis for Obama." My message at first was not political, but the situation has evolved — or devolved — into one in which the danger to Israel is more paramount than ever. Don't kid yourselves. We are nearing the 11th hour.

Please join us in our quest to see that America and Israel stay safe from the growing danger that is all around us.

We can no longer afford to stay silent. Let us make sure that, "Never again" means "NEVER again."

WHEN WILL THE WORLD LISTEN. AS A CHILD OF HOLOCAST SURVIVIORS, I TELL YOU JEWS IN EUROPE AND AROUND THE WORLD ARE IN GREAT DANGER. Anyone considered an infidel may be murdered. This is true for people of all religions. The new Nazis are alive and well. We need a president in the U.S. THAT WILL SPEAK OUT FOR US NOW. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

In France, Jews and Muslims Warn of Anti-Semitism.

News of police raids in France aimed at young extremist Muslims added to the anxieties of French Jews and Muslims worried about the expansion of radical Islam….

The Muslim extremists and fundamental extremist Islamists are worse than Nazis. At the end of the war, the Nazis tried to cover their tracks, hoping they could hide their crimes. They were afraid of retribution, and they were ashamed. How do we know this? Because, like children who knew they had been discovered, they tried to lie their way out: We didn’t know, I was just following orders, etc.

The extreme radical Islamists, on the other hand, have no shame about anything they have done. They do not try to hide anything. To the contrary, they are proud of their actions.

This is why, at the end of the day, the German people could come back from the abyss into which they had fallen. Their shame at what they had done allowed them to rejoin civilization.

The extreme Islamists have no shame. How can they be part of the civilized world? I call upon moderate Muslim IMAMS AND LEADERS IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY. TO SPEAK OUT NOW.. Rabbi Dr. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi told Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday that “Egypt and Palestine are one entity.” Morsi, calling to convey holiday greetings in honor of Eid al-Fitr, also told Haniyeh that Egypt will stand by the Palestinians, and stressed the importance AS PREDICTED rabbi dr. bernhard rosenberg

Exactly one week ago, my editorial, "About those 'Rabbis for Obama,' " appeared in The DC Post. Read it here: http://thedcpost.com/?p=19350. On Labor Day, I had the privilege of speaking with Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg, a gentleman who stands determined to create "Rabbis for Romney."

Before we spoke, I assumed that politics would be at the core of the rabbi's conviction. It certainly is regarding my own sense that Barack Obama, on the basis of his pernicious presidential performance, by no means merits re-election. For the good of America and for America's interests and allies worldwide, including Israel, I'm convinced that a Romney presidency will serve us far better.

But Rabbi Rosenberg's principal point is something else. This spiritual leader at Edison, New Jersey's conservative Congregation Beth-El is emphatic in conveying that his interest in "Rabbis for Romney" is apolitical — at least in the conventional sense.

"I'm not advocating here for either candidate," the rabbi affirmed. What is it then that makes "Rabbis for Romney" so vital? Simply this: The rabbi wants Jews to be represented in a real and accurate light. When our media-dependent society hears only about "Rabbis for Obama," the erroneous conclusion some might draw is that Jews unilaterally support Obama. That's incorrect. While a big majority of Jewish votes (some 64%, according to a June Gallup poll) will indeed go Democratic, the remainder will go to Mr. Romney.

The rabbi explained his position: "I want America and the world to know that it's not just rabbis for one candidate only." Again, he isn't speaking as a political pollster. In a world of hardball, where "fairness" is just a politician's hollow promise, the rabbi sees great danger in Democrats taking the Jewish vote for granted — and Republicans mistakenly assuming that Jewish support is beyond the pale.

In short, Rabbi Rosenberg is determined to maximize the value of the Jewish vote to both sides. Let Democrats and Republicans alike earn Jewish support — through their words and deeds. That support should not be assumed by anyone — or any party. Be assured, the value of Jewish votes is indeed real. Though few in number, Jews are concentrated in critical states like New York, California and, of utmost importance this year, Florida. Then there's this: The percentage of Jewish voters is enormous; eligible Jewish voters vote.

The rabbi's realpolitik approach is undoubtedly based upon personal history. His Polish-born parents endured the horrors of Buchenwald and Auschwitz. Somehow they survived, but their own parents and their children were massacred by Hitler's Nazis. After the war, the couple were sent to a displaced persons camp in Regensburg, Germany where, 64 years ago, their son Bernhard was born. Four years later, this family, these survivors, made their way to a new life in America.

Today, Rabbi Rosenberg is a Holocaust scholar and his books include two acknowledged classics: "Theological and Halakhic References on the Holocaust" and "Contemplating the Holocaust." Having suffered first hand from the darkest ravages of anti-Semitism, the rabbi is determined to do all he can to ensure another Holocaust won't happen.

"I don't want Jews pegged as being on one side or another," the rabbi said, "because as history so often teaches us, that ultimately leads to anti-Semitism." Today, we have to be more vigilant than ever — because anti-Semitism is on the rise again — in America and worldwide. And yes, despite the timeless admonition of "Never again," another Holocaust can happen for sure.

As I wrote last week, it's my belief that "Rabbis for Obama" is, more than anything, a well-funded political/PR phenomenon. Any way you look at it, Rabbi Rosenberg's "Rabbis for Romney" is surely going against the popular grain, and against a media monolith. You might call him David against an organizational Goliath. But the rabbi bears an important message. And you can be sure that his message will be heard.

To communicate the concerns and interests of the Jewish community during the electoral process by providing information about the position of the candidates towards Israel’s security and the views of Jewish leaders about America’s mission in the world. The purpose is not to endorse or recommend any particular social or economic policy but, rather, to address the concerns of the Jewish voters concerning the State of Israel and the preservation of authentic Biblical values. We clearly deny the impression created by the Rabbis for Obama that American Jews want “daylight” between America and Israel, as Obama declared, or that the social views espoused by these Rabbis are rooted in our authentic tradition.

MISSION STATEMENT

To communicate the concerns and interests of the Jewish community during the electoral process by providing information about the position of the candidates towards Israel’s security and the views of Jewish leaders about America’s mission in the world. The purpose is not to endorse or recommend any particular social or economic policy but, rather, to address the concerns of the Jewish voters concerning the State of Israel and the preservation of authentic Biblical values. We clearly deny the impression created by the Rabbis for Obama that American Jews want “daylight” between America and Israel, as Obama declared, or that the social views espoused by these Rabbis are rooted in our authentic tradition.

CAIRO — A fiery tirade against Jews by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's leader highlights one of the foremost diplomatic challenges facing the country's new Islamist President Mohammed Morsi as he balances popular sentiment with the need for security relations with Israel.

The Brotherhood's supreme leader, Mohammed Badie, called on Muslims worldwide last week to defend Jerusalem, saying "Zionists only know the way of force." He said that Jews were spreading "corruption," had slaughtered Muslims and desecrated holy sites.

WHEN will we Jews wake up. This is Adolph HITLER AND THE NAZIS PARTY. Here in America most were silent while six million JEWS DIED. WE WERE SILENT. NEVER AGAIN. Tell your Rabbi and Jewish leaders to speak up. Tell you non-Jewish friends to speak out. Where are the youth, especially our college kids. Where are the protests of the 60's. Why is Israel not a major issue to MOST Jews in this election. Another Holocaust can and will happen if IRAN AND ITS NEIGHBORS ARE NOT STOPPED. EGYPT IS NOT A FRIEND. NEVER AGAIN NEVER AGAIN. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

: Obama and the Threat to Israel RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

Absolutely Uncertain: Obama and the Threat to Israel.

Source: absolutelyuncertain.com

Obama and the Threat to Israel: This time the choice is not as clear.

WE MUST FIGHT TO SAVE ISRAEL. ANOTHER HOLOCAUST MAY OCCUR. I FOR ONE , CHILD OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, WHO LOST SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS AND UNCLES, and cousins WILL FIGHT WITH ALL MY MIGHT. ELECT ROMNEY. DO YOU TRUST OBAMA? DO YOU WANT YOUR KIDS OR GRANDCHILDREN TO GROW UP LIKE ME WITH THE MEMORIES OF THE HOLCAUST ANDA FAMILY DESTROYED. The extremist muslims are the new nazis. I HAVE THE GUTS TO SAY THIS BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. rabbi dr. bernhard rosenberg

Hezbollah admits launching drone over Israel.

WHEN WILL THE WORLD LISTEN. AS A CHILD OF HOLOCAST SURVIVIORS, I TELL YOU JEWS IN EUROPE AND AROUND THE WORLD ARE IN GREAT DANGER. Anyone considered an infidel may be murdered. This is true for people of all religions. The new Nazis are alive and well. We need a president in the U.S. THAT WILL SPEAK OUT FOR US NOW. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

CAIRO — A fiery tirade against Jews by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's leader highlights one of the foremost diplomatic challenges facing the country's new Islamist President Mohammed Morsi as he balances popular sentiment with the need for security relations with Israel.

The Brotherhood's supreme leader, Mohammed Badie, called on Muslims worldwide last week to defend Jerusalem, saying "Zionists only know the way of force." He said that Jews were spreading "corruption," had slaughtered Muslims and desecrated holy sites.

WHEN will we Jews wake up. This is Adolph HITLER AND THE NAZIS PARTY. Here in America most were silent while six million JEWS DIED. WE WERE SILENT. NEVER AGAIN. Tell your Rabbi and Jewish leaders to speak up. Tell you non-Jewish friends to speak out. Where are the youth, especially our college kids. Where are the protests of the 60's. Why is Israel not a major issue to MOST Jews in this election. Another Holocaust can and will happen if IRAN AND ITS NEIGHBORS ARE NOT STOPPED. EGYPT IS NOT A FRIEND. NEVER AGAIN NEVER AGAIN. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

: Obama and the Threat to Israel RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

Absolutely Uncertain: Obama and the Threat to Israel.

Source: absolutelyuncertain.com

Obama and the Threat to Israel: This time the choice is not as clear.

WE MUST FIGHT TO SAVE ISRAEL. ANOTHER HOLOCAUST MAY OCCUR. I FOR ONE , CHILD OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, WHO LOST SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS AND UNCLES, and cousins WILL FIGHT WITH ALL MY MIGHT. ELECT ROMNEY. DO YOU TRUST OBAMA? DO YOU WANT YOUR KIDS OR GRANDCHILDREN TO GROW UP LIKE ME WITH THE MEMORIES OF THE HOLCAUST ANDA FAMILY DESTROYED. The extremist muslims are the new nazis. I HAVE THE GUTS TO SAY THIS BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. rabbi dr. bernhard rosenberg

Hezbollah admits launching drone over Israel.

WHEN WILL THE WORLD LISTEN. AS A CHILD OF HOLOCAST SURVIVIORS, I TELL YOU JEWS IN EUROPE AND AROUND THE WORLD ARE IN GREAT DANGER. Anyone considered an infidel may be murdered. This is true for people of all religions. The new Nazis are alive and well. We need a president in the U.S. THAT WILL SPEAK OUT FOR US NOW. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG

I am a 66 year old American woman. I am not a member of the Jewish faith, but rather a Catholic that came to Catholicism late in life. At the moment what is so important is not the name of our faith, but our faith in God. We are faced by a man who would have us rip God from our lives and to follow a cruel person who is leading us into a Socialist way of life that is terrifying, and will surely be our end. Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim and a liar. How we could put such a person in the position of our leader is beyond me. This was a mistake of unreal proportion. I heard a woman say that "I have never seen so many unintelligent people in my life, who can look to such an evil entity for guidance. I must agree with her. It seems that stupidity abounds and it frightens me that our friends and neighbors simply will NOT see what they may be about to do.

You and the members of your faith are the ones who have earned the right to speak out and to be heard and believed.

My husband and I just had our 52nd wedding anniversary! We were married when we were 16 years old, have worked all our lives and raised three children. To think that we are going to leave our beautiful country in the hands of a maniac sickens us. We have four beautiful grandchildren and they are going to face the horror of a false leader, and one who is going to destroy their future. We want to stop it, but we simply don't know how!

I was hit by a driver nine years ago when I went to the bus stop to bring my grandson home after school. He is now 26 years old, and has struggled to find a decent job, and a place to live that he can afford. I am in a wheelchair for the rest of my life, but I feel fortunate in comparison to what is facing my grandchildren. Prayer is a gift that allows me and my husband to get up, one more day, to a life that once was filled with hope, but now is filled with fear. It is truly nothing in comparison to what you and the Jewish community have experienced, but your words have not fallen on deaf ears!

After reading your letter Rabbi Rosenberg, I had to reach out to tell you that we appreciate every word of what you offered We will never forget what you have said, and only can hope that every person I forward your letter to will understand what you are saying, and they will wake up before it is too late. They need to be reminded that they have just ONE thing that they own outright, and that is their VOTE. Even that is compromised due to the U.S. electoral process, but it is TRULY still important. So, if they would just try to elect Mr, Romney who is a decent and honest man, and give him a chance; and allow us to try and pull ourselves out of the fire of the hell to which we are headed at breakneck speed! Bless you Sir, and if there should be anything that we could do to spread your words of hope, let us know…..PLEASE?

We are both retired and live on the Social Security that we paid into, which Obama is trying to take from us and will succeed unless we are diligent. We wish your words to be heard around the world, and we Bless you and all of those you have lost. the Holocaust was very real and another one is coming unless we remove the likes of Barack Obama before it is too late.

As smooth and civilized as Jack Daniels whiskey, and with just as much kick, Barry Farber is one of America's legendary talk show hosts. Raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, he drank in with his mother's milk the art of storytelling and of painting memorable images with a gentle Southern accent.

There's long been an organization named "Rabbis For Obama" with a membership of 613 Rabbis.After the Denver debate a new organization sprouted like wild mushrooms after a rain in the Vienna woods named "Rabbis for Romney".The founder of "Rabbis for Romney", Rabbi Doctor Bernhard Rosenberg, visits Sara and Barry this evening and details his reasons for his effort and his plans for delivering a larger portion of the Jewish vote to Romney-Ryan.

My name is Nita Husband. I wrote to you recently, just a short letter, to tell you my feelings concerning what you wrote of your sincere efforts to organize Rabbi's and others throughout your faith, and the nation. You read my letter and wrote to thank me. I and my husband were so wonderfully touched!

What I want to tell you, that is SO important…… is that in the last couple of days I have received three of the most wonderful telephone calls from people throughout the United States, telling me that they also read your letter and also wanted to say Thank You. Each person, (from as far away as,,, New York, Colorado, and Texas) have expressed their support for everything you are doing. I know there are such fantastic people out there. That is why we must rise up and with your strength take back our nation from those who are not sincere about true faith in God, and the United States. But it will be YOUR efforts that will have reached those who can keep faith alive….and WILL help.

I wanted you to know just how many, and how far, your words have reached. I reminded each person who called that they should contact you, immediately if possible, to tell you how they are speaking from their hearts. I have kept your letter and have read it over and over. I don't want to forget one word of what you have said with such clarity and love. Please know that if there is anything that can be done, you are going to accomplish your mission as it is one that many many people share. Bless you Rabbi Rosenberg and we will never forget!

There is no difference between the American Jews who did nothing for European, Holocaust effected Jews and the liberal Jews who support Obama and ignore the imminent threat. While there are many theories why American Jews did nothing during the Holocaust such as the hush, hush theory see http://www.vosizneias.com/30372/2009/04/20/new-york-american-jews-did-little-to-help-their-brethren-during-the-holocaust-but-why/ The real reason is the Jewish secular humanists didn't care about their people then nor now. In fact, in FDR first inaugural address of 1932 he brought up an antisemitic canard, blaming the Depression on Jews using code words and the liberal Jews were in lock step behind him. He said "Practices of the unscrupulous money changers stand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men. The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of the restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit. See

As it says in Koheles "there is nothing new under the sun.". We are at a pivotal moment in Jewish history. THE OUTCOME come of this election may very well have an impact on how this chapter will turn out. Make no mistake about it. Israel’s survival is at stake. Last week a business associate in Israel told me how much they count on us American Jews and how grateful they are for our support. I told him that the current American Jewish community is not the same American Jewish Community that I remember when I was growing up. Frankly the evangelical Christians are more of a friend to Israel than many American Jews.

According to the most recent polls the majority of American Jews support President Obama. Based on the conversations I have had with my Jewish contemporaries I would agree with the projection. I am mystified. How can American Jews who support Obama also believe that they support Israel? After the shameful Jerusalem platform debacle during the Democratic convention I find myself wondering if Debbie Wassserman Shultz and Charles Schumer are today’s unwitting collaborators.

President Obama is not a friend of Israel.I cannot fathom why so many American Jews do not see through him. It isn’t like his true feelings for Israel are below the surface.As Bob Dylan said; "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."In the early '60's I watched the newsreel films of the '48 War of Independence and life on the Kibbutzim with admiration. I recall the pride I felt watching the miraculous events of the six day war in '67 unfold on the news.As an adolescent I grasped that the freedom and security we enjoy in America is not a guarantee for eternity when viewed within the context of Jewish history. I grew up thinking Zionism was a good word. I believe that Israel’s existence is not optional. I assumed that (with the exception of Neturei Karta) this belief is shared by if not all, an overwhelming majority of Jews in America.As I try to comprehend the Jewish support for Obama I realize that I was mistaken.To those that don’t share that belief I say consider this: Without Israel “Never Again” is nothing more than a mere slogan.

The American Jewish community historically supports the Democratic Party. However this tie pales in comparison to ties of 5773 years.Mitt Romney’s out spoken support of Israel has left no ambiguity. I believe he is genuine. While you may not agree with Mitt Romney’s positions on various issues that matter to you; in this election his support of Israel trumps everything else. He deserves our support. This is our opportunity to end up on the right side of history.Let’s not miss it. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN RABBIS FOR ROMNEY.